On May 27, 2017 as part of the 3^rd Annual Richland Village Festival, the official dedication of “The Tree Monument” was held at 12 noon with a crowd of over 200 in attendance. “The Tree Monument” can be viewed daily in Saw Mill Park on US Route 40 in Richland Village.

“The Tree Monument” depicts almost 40 different carvings that show the past and modern history of what we call home, Buena Vista Township.

It was dedicated in time for the 150^th Birthday of Buena Vista Township. A self-guided tour brochure can be found on our Township website at www.buenavistanj.com, you can print the brochure or stop by the Township Hall to obtain a copy.

Tour Guide Page 1
TourGuidePage2

It is well worth the tour to learn about your townships history and to see “The Most Unusual Tree in the State of New Jersey”.

Buena Regional Class of 2017

Congratulations to the Buena Regional High School Class of 2017. The graduating class consisted of many National Honor Society students and not one but three Valedictorians!

Linda Franceschini of Milmay, Daniel Dormanen of Estell Manor and Olga Koturlash of Buena stunned the crowed with their insightful and entertaining speeches during graduation. Buena Vista Township is proud to have so many bright young minds working towards bright futures. Congratulations again from Buena Vista Township.

14^TH ANNUAL Run 4 Ricky 

The 14^th Annual Run 4 Ricky was held on Saturday, June 10^th at the home of remembered student and athlete Ricky Wilcox. The run gathered hundreds of past, present and future students of Buena Regional High School, friends and family, and Township Officials.

The yearly event raises money used to provide deserving students with scholarships at the end of each year. The total for 2017 was $17,500.00. This year’s event was no different, from the awards, runners new and old, walkers both kids and adults and a kids run fit for the little ones of the event. After the run the BBQ for the event was held at Michael Debbi park which involved food, a bounce house, Starbucks Coffee, music and a prize auction.

A very successful event once again. Keep an eye out for next year’s event and how you can help at www.run4ricky.org.

Buena Vista Township is Awarded Clean Communities Grant 

The Clean Communities Grants were awarded in the beginning of June granting money to municipalities and counties all over New Jersey. $2.2 million dollars in grants were awarded to the 21 counties in New Jersey. Buena Vista Township received a grant of $30,713.39.

According to Commissioner Martin, “Clean Communities money is a vital resource for New jersey’s municipalities and counties every year because these grants help fund cleanups that will further enhance our communities, natural resources and roadway.

By taking care of the environment around us, we encourage others to do the same in their own communities and build pride across the state.” Buena Vista is honored to receive such a large grant and continues to focus on making our communities better each and every day.

Buena Chiefs Softball Wins South Jersey Title 

Photo Credit: Press of Atlantic City

The Buena Chiefs softball team coached by Pamela Picket has had quite the season in 2017. Wining their third consecutive South Jersey Title was a huge part of the season topped off by April 8, 2017 when Coach Pam Picket achieved her 600^th career win.

Coach Picket of course gives most of the credit to her players over the last 30 years but she is definitely a spectacular coach and woman herself. Players of the Buena Chiefs Softball team both present and past, feel that they are the players they are today because of Coach Picket or Coach Pick for short.

During the season, Aysiah Cintron crushed another record help by a previous play Samantha Horner for her career hits. Cintron broke schools record by hitting her 143^rd hit in the 2017 season.

Another proud moment for Coach Picket and the team. We look forward to seeing the team next year during another great season!

Buena Vista Township Committee Tours Outside of New Teligent Building

On Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly, Committeeman Steve Martinelli and Committeeman John Williams toured the new construction work at the Teligent site on Lincoln Avenue. Also in attendance was Township Administrator/CMFO Kenia Nunez and Township Clerk/Planning – Zoning Board Secretary Lisa Tilton. Teligent Vice President Peter Gallagher led the tour which featured pointing out some of the construction process and European style used in the design of the building. The project is moving along rapidly and work has already begun inside the new 75,000 sq. ft. addition. Teligent is a manufacturer of generic medical products.

Merighi’s Savoy Inn Expands Luna’s Outdoor Restaurant 

On Thursday, May 18, 2017 Buena Vista Township Planning-Zoning Board approved an expansion for Luna’s outdoor restaurant located at Merighi’s Savoy Inn in East Vineland. The new expansion will enhance the dining experience and expand the outdoor kitchen area which will include a fire pit and an outdoor waiting area. Parking will be redesigned to have a front parking area and the rear banquet area parking. Work is expected to begin immediately so that the “Key West” Style restaurant will be fully operational this summer. It will be a nice addition to a very successful establishment in Buena Vista.

Shoreline Vintage Grand Re-Opening 

Shoreline Vintage located on Route 40 in Richland Village has added new vendors to their Antique/Consignment Retail Store. Stop in and take a look at the changes.

On May 29, our country celebrated Memorial Day. For different families across the country, that day held a different significance. For me, that last Monday in May always brings me back to May of 1967, the month I became an airman in the U.S. Air Force.

Coming from Buena Vista Township, joining the Air Force was both exciting and nerve-wracking. People always ask me why I chose to enlist during a time when our country was at war. My answer has always been because I believed it was the right thing to do.

We owe so much to our veterans. Just getting them home safely is not enough. We need to make sure that these men and women are educated on the financial and medical services that are available to them. And we need to do what we can to remove the barriers that stand between them and these services.

As chairman of the Buena Vista Township Veterans Committee, I’ve had the privilege to serve our veteran community here in Buena Vista. Every day I work to make sure our veterans have access to the benefits they deserve. Recently, a resident came to our committee to ask if we could help her obtain her late husband’s medals. She had been trying for years but to no avail. With the help of our congressman, we got the job done. When she invited me over to see the medals, I was so gratified to see the Purple Heart that she could now share proudly with his friends and family.

Our veterans, our fallen soldiers and their families deserve our respect and commitment. In Buena Vista, our committee took on the task of getting a proper memorial stone at Township Hall that listed all the names of our neighbors who had given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. But we must do more than just memorialize. Too many veterans don’t know what services they have available to them or how to access the ones they’re aware of. For those who have already sacrificed so much to serve our country, that’s unacceptable. To be able to make their lives easier or solve challenges they might be facing, are tasks I feel honored to take on.

Our men and women in the military made the choice to risk their lives so that we could continue to enjoy our lives back home. On Memorial Day, let’s remember those who made the greatest sacrifice and let’s recommit our efforts to serve those who have come home.

John Armato

Buena Vista

Mark your calendars for 9 – Yes, 9!!  Wednesday night’s beginning June 29^th and running through August for music and dancing under the stars at Michael Debbi Park in Richland.

The concerts begin at 7 pm until 9 pm (weather permitting).  They are performed at the Special Events Center Gazebo.  If it rains, the concert will be rescheduled to another date.  Affordable refreshments will be available.  Flyer coming soon.

Hot dogs, desserts and beverages will be sold. Bring your dancing shoes. Seating is available or bring your own lawn chairs. (weather permitting)

• Wednesday, June 28th – John Clark – Little Big Band
• Wednesday, July 5th – Joe Kelly – Tear It Up
• Wednesday, July 12th – In High Gear
• Wednesday, July 19th  – Poor Mouth Henry
• Wednesday, July 26th – Kenny I Entertainment
• Wednesday, August 2nd- Lonnie Youngblood
• Wednesday, August 9th –  45 RPM Oldies Concert
• Wednesday, August 16th – Ed Rodriquez – Ten Eddy Drive
• Wednesday, August 23rd – Dr. Cheeko
• Wednesday, August 30th – Reserved for Rain Date

This schedule is subject to change.

On Saturday May 27, 2017 at twelve o’clock noon, a special dedication will be made for the Tree Monument –perhaps the most “Unusual Tree” in the state of New Jersey. Located in Saw Mill Park in Richland Village a mighty white oak tree stood for 235 years (approx. 1780-2015) next to a Saw Mill that led the way for the once mighty railroads to crisscross here in Richland, Buena Vista Township. When time took the life of this tree, it still had 125 ft. wing span.

Our community searched for ideas to allow this otherwise dead tree to live on. The idea of a Tree Monument was born with the guidance of Mayor Chuck Chiarello and the Township Committee in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Buena Vista Township. It would be a tree that depicted the Township’s history and yet transformed into a contemporary piece of art. With the help of local tree surgeon Gary Heitz and a talented chainsaw artist by the name of Brian Ackley the Tree Monument was born. After almost a year of planning, the tree will be unveiled at the 3rd Annual Richland Village Festival which also serves as an official Sesquicentennial Event for the Township’s 150th Birthday.

A 600 year-old giant white oak tree recently died in a church cemetery in Basking Ridge, NJ. That tree was cut down except for the stump where a memorial stone will be placed and some of the wood will be used to build furniture to furnish the church it sat next to and the Township Hall in Basking Ridge.
The concept of our Tree Monument was to allow the tree to remain standing and be a lasting memorial for its days of glory.

Over $20,000 was raised from the community to complete the project which included the trimming, carving, paving, fencing, , and planting of seven young white oak trees.

We humbly ask for your presence at the dedication to celebrate the life of this new Tree Monument which depicts almost 40 different carvings that show the past and modern history of what we call home, Buena Vista Township.

Saw Mill Park is just over an acre in size and features a children’s play train, a real Pennsylvania Railroad Steel Caboose from the 1930’s, a gazebo, a Veteran’s and a 9-11 Memorial along with benches. The tree is lit at night and has already attracted hundreds of visitors during the construction phase. Visitors may also stop in to the Patcong Valley Model Railroad Building Lobby and see an original painting of the Saw Mill that once stood on this site and a white oak tree that stood nearby. The painting was done by a family member of the early settlers in Richland Village in the late 1800’s.

Come help us celebrate at 12 Noon Saturday, May 27, 2017. Small samples of the original tree will be given to those in attendance and a special commemorative puzzle will be given to the first 150 people who show up for the dedication (Limit one per family). A special puzzle designed by the Missing Piece Puzzle Company and Photographer Dave Griffin both who are based in Richland Village, will be given away. It resembles a post card, see below.

The ceremony is part of a larger day of family activities including a 100 Vendor Toy Show, Huge Car Show, Classic Car Parade, Train Rides on the Cape May Sea Shore Lines, Live Music featuring three bands, fun things for the children, over 16 food vendors and over 40 other vendors/crafters and much more!

On Thursday, April 6. Buena Regional High School was given a treat as twelve senior boys competed for the Title of Mr. Buena 2017.

The show provided laughter and excitement as the Disney Theme was well known amongst the crowd and made for easy audience involvement.

The contestants competed in Casual Wear, Talent, Formal Wear along with Question and Answer. The pageant showed tremendous school spirit and great team effort in a wonderful production.

The winner was Mr. July Will Murphy and his court 1^st Runner Up Mr. October Adriance Adderley and 2^nd Runner Up Jake Maxwell.

The final touches are coming together for the 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration and Birthday Party!

On Saturday, May 27^th from 10 – 7PM Buena Vista Township will celebrate 150 years of history at Saw Mill Park in Richland! At 12 Noon, a special dedication of our Tree Monument will be presented in front of all. The Chainsaw Carved Tree Monument features over 30 Carvings depicting the Town’s History.

Crafters, Vendors and Merchants of all kinds will be in the park all day. Food trucks of every different variety will line Main Avenue with the smells of smoked barbecue filling the air from The First Baptist Church of Richland Men’s Fellowship.

The Annual Toy Show with over 100 Vendors will be the talk of the town in front of It’s a Toy Store on Route 40.

The South Jersey Mustang Club will have its Car Show with hundreds of cars on display accompanied by Stewarts Root beer and their very own traveling LIVE radio show from WVLT 92.1 Lite in Vineland. There will also be a classic car parade featuring these cars, starting at 9:30am down Cedar Avenue to Saw Mill Park in Richland.

Musical Entertainment will be played throughout the festival all day featuring Ten Eddy Drive 11am-1pm, Pour Mouth Henry 1:30pm to 3:30pm and Jazz Band Eddie Morgan’s Jazz Trio REKD 4 Jazz 4pm-6pm!

Fun for the whole family with Two Bounce Houses, a Rock Wall and Bubble Balls for the kids.

Adult Beverages from the Tombstone Grill Beer Wagon!

A fifty/fifty will take place later in the day giving one lucky winner some Memorial Day Cash! Come Celebrate our Towns 150^th Birthday with us and be a part of History!

For more information, contact Kristie Knapp in the Mayor’s Office at 856-697-2100 Ext. 8.

Its Run4Ricky time again, June 10th! The 14th Annual event being a 5K, walk, and Kids Fun Run for kids 12 and under. This year’s event will include as always, the All you can Eat BBQ – Family Fun Day with your race registration fee!! Come over to Michael Debbi Park after the Run for great food, Basket Auction, A1 Entertainment, face painting, inflatable obstacle course, and a lot of fun!

The Foundation is again seeking Sponsors, donations, BBQ contributions, and baskets for our Basket Auction. Anyone wishing to donate their time or Talent, is also greatly appreciated!

We welcome everyone’s involvement. Hope you all will join the family and community in making this another great day by participating and supporting this event and the students at Buena Regional High School.

Your generosity is appreciated! This event supports the Ricky Wilcox Memorial Scholarships awarded each year in June.  We were happy to award The Ricky Wilcox Memorial Scholarships totaling $14,500.00 on June 2 ,2016 at Senior Awards night. Thanks to everyone that has made these scholarships possible for these students!

Contact Kristie Knapp in the Mayor’s Office at 856-697-2100 Ext 8 for more information on how to donate. Register on line, mail in or day of event at www.run4ricky.org.

On Sunday, March 5, 2017, Buena Vista Township Crowned its newest Queen Amanda Guzman of Landisville. The Villa Fazzolari Restaurant was packed with over 140 in the crowd including the 2015/2016 Miss Buena Vista Township, Ciarra Siking.

A panel of judges were wowed by all 8 of the girls performances which made it almost impossible to pick a winner. Alongside of the winner Amanda Guzman, 1^st Runner Up Megan Burke of Minotola and 2^nd Runner Up Tabatha Dalponte of Richland dazzled the audience with their grace, poise and talent. Two special recognitions were given out to the girls prior to the announcement of the winners.

The title of Miss Congeniality for this years event was awarded to Lillian Nelson of Richland for her unique and humorous personality throughout the pageant and practices.

The second award was given in the name of a past contestant Gina Durham who is remembered yearly at the pageant. The award recognizes one girl who demonstrated kindness, strength and belief in herself and others just as Gina did. This year the award was given with honor to Megan Burke.

The Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee were the host of the event along with Fazzolari Restaurant and Special Guest MC Nor Easter Nick Pitman of South Jersey News Today.

The afternoon was the perfect way to kick off the Township’s 150^th Sesquicentennial Celebrations throughout the year. Also, March 5^th was the actual Anniversary of the 1867 Founding of Buena Vista Township!